FEMA puts Buies Creek’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buies Creek gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #191 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then hurricanes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Buies Creek faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Buies Creek’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buies Creek, and Buies Creek’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 17% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #191 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Buies Creek’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Buies Creek has more expected damage per building than 66% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Buies Creek: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buies Creek flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Buies Creek, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew2 claims · $52K
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $8K
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $2K
Buies Creek isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harnett County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Buies Creek
Disasters that paid out in Buies Creek itself (aid to households or repair grants to Buies Creek), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $52K
Harnett County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Buies Creek after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buies Creek archive →Get ready for what Buies Creek faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Buies Creek
Is Buies Creek at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buies Creek has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #191 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and hurricanes (17%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Buies Creek flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Buies Creek since 1996, $61K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (2).
Is Buies Creek in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Harnett County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Buies Creek?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buies Creek’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Buies Creek?
By FEMA money that reached Buies Creek, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 3 households applied for aid, $1K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 2 paid, $52K.
Is Buies Creek at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Buies Creek’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buies Creek.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buies Creek’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.